Freight Shipping from Los Angeles to San Diego
Ship freight from Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA with FMCSA-verified carriers. FTL from $295-$363, LTL from $275-$516. No hidden fees, no re-bills.
Distance
137 mi
Drive Time
2 hrs
FTL Rate Est.
$295-$363
LTL Rate Est.
$275-$516
Consumer Goods Corridor
Los Angeles → San Diego Lane Market Snapshot
Active Carriers
155–176
running this lane
Weekly Loads
192–210
typical volume
Rate / Mile
$2.17–$2.65
dry van spot
Backhaul Score
63/100
Moderate
Steady carrier availability year-round. Expect stable pricing with 5-8% swings during seasonal peaks.
Toll Estimate
$2–$4 one-way passing through CA. 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor.
Book For Best Rates
Best pickup days: Tue, Wed, Thu. Avoid: Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM. Mid-week pickups on this lane typically price 6-11% below weekend-adjacent bookings.
Los Angeles to San Diego Freight Corridor
The Los Angeles basin is the undisputed freight capital of the Western Hemisphere. The San Pedro Bay port complex (LA + Long Beach) handles 40% of all US containerized imports, generating a tidal wave of drayage and long-haul freight that radiates outward on I-10, I-15, and I-5. The Inland Empire east of LA has become the largest warehouse market in the world, with over 600 million square feet of distribution space absorbing and redistributing Asian imports to every corner of the country.
San Diego's freight profile is defined by two forces: the massive military presence (Naval Base San Diego is the largest on the West Coast) and the Otay Mesa border crossing into Tijuana. The Otay Mesa industrial zone processes billions in cross-border maquiladora freight daily, with electronics and medical devices flowing north while raw materials and components move south. Biotech companies along the Torrey Pines corridor generate premium temperature-controlled shipments.
The Los Angeles-to-San Diego corridor spans 137 miles via I-5. This lane connects entertainment & media and international trade freight from the Los Angeles market to defense & military and biotechnology demand in San Diego. Carriers running this route regularly maintain competitive rates through strong backhaul availability in both directions.
What Ships from Los Angeles
Los Angeles's economy is driven by entertainment & media, international trade, aerospace, generating consistent outbound freight demand.
containerized imports (re-distribution)
entertainment equipment
apparel & fashion
aerospace components
processed foods
electronics
What San Diego Receives
San Diego's defense & military, biotechnology, telecommunications sectors drive strong inbound freight demand from markets like Los Angeles.
military supplies
electronic components
consumer goods
construction materials
cross-border maquiladora goods
raw materials
Recommended Equipment
Based on the commodities moving between Los Angeles and San Diego, these equipment types best serve this corridor.
Dry Van (FTL)
Ideal for palletized consumer goods, electronics, packaged foods, and general merchandise. Enclosed protection from weather and theft.
$295-$363 estimated for this lane
Flatbed
Best for steel, lumber, machinery, building materials, and oversized loads that cannot be palletized or loaded through standard dock doors.
$390-$500 estimated for this lane
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Cost-effective for shipments under 10,000 lbs or fewer than 10 pallets. Shared trailer space with other shippers reduces cost for smaller loads.
$275-$516 estimated for this lane
Rate Estimates by Shipping Mode
Estimated rates for the Los Angeles to San Diego lane (137 miles). Actual rates depend on commodity, weight, season, and equipment.
| Mode | Rate Estimate | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| FTL (Full Truckload) | $295-$363 | 2 hrs |
| LTL (Less Than Truckload) | $275-$516 | 4-6 days |
| Expedited / Hot Shot | $445-$617 | 2 hrs |
Major Shippers on This Corridor
Key freight generators in both Los Angeles and San Diego that drive volume on this lane.
Amazon (15+ facilities)
Target (import DC)
Nike Distribution
General Atomics
Qualcomm
Northrop Grumman
Shipping Tips for Los Angeles to San Diego
Los Angeles Seasonal Advisory
Import surge begins in August for holiday retail season, peaking in October-November. Chinese New Year (January-February) creates a brief lull followed by a restocking wave in March.
San Diego Seasonal Advisory
Avocado season (spring through summer) drives reefer demand from Fallbrook and surrounding groves. Military fiscal year-end (September) triggers a rush of defense shipments. Cross-border freight dips during Mexican holidays.
Same-Day Delivery Possible
At 137 miles, a single driver can complete this route within a standard driving window. Expedited same-day service is available for time-critical shipments at a premium.
Book Early for Best Rates
Spot market rates fluctuate daily. Booking 3-5 days in advance typically saves 10-15% compared to same-day or next-day freight requests. For recurring shipments, ask about contract rates.
Logistics Infrastructure
How freight actually flows in and out of Los Angeles and San Diego — the warehouses, rail terminals, and highway spines that shape rates on this lane.
Origin
Los Angeles, CA
- Metro Population
- 13.2M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.45-$2.85/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-10, I-710
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF Hobart Yard (Commerce); UP ICTF (Wilmington); UP East LA Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of Los Angeles (20 mi) / Port of Long Beach (22 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Inland Empire (Ontario/Riverside), Commerce/Vernon, Carson/Compton
“The I-710 corridor from the ports to the intermodal yards in Commerce is the most heavily trucked stretch of highway in America. Container drayage rates fluctuate wildly based on port congestion — chassis availability can add $100-200 per container in detention charges during peak seasons.”
Destination
San Diego, CA
- Metro Population
- 3.3M metro
- Avg Outbound Rate
- $2.35-$2.70/mi
- Key Highways
- I-5, I-8, I-15
- Rail / Intermodal
- BNSF San Diego Intermodal
- Port Access
- Port of San Diego (0 mi)
- Warehouse Districts
- Otay Mesa (border zone), Kearny Mesa, Miramar
“Otay Mesa border crossing wait times directly impact freight rates. During peak crossing delays (often 2-4 hours), carriers add $200-400 per load in detention surcharges. Trusted Trader (C-TPAT) carriers with FAST lane access command premium contracts.”
Return Loads from San Diego
Backhaul from San Diego to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing.
Top Backhaul Commodities from San Diego
Seasonal Rate Patterns
Oct-Dec (retail peak)
+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out
Mar-Oct (construction season)
+8-14% on flatbed
Los Angeles to San Diego Freight FAQs
How much does it cost to ship freight from Los Angeles to San Diego?
Full truckload (FTL) rates from Los Angeles, CA to San Diego, CA currently range $295-$363 (roughly $2.17-$2.65 per mile over 137 miles). LTL shipments typically cost $275-$516 depending on freight class, weight, and dimensions. Capacity is currently balanced on this corridor, so booking 3-5 days out locks in the best pricing. Request a custom quote for exact rates.
How long does freight take from Los Angeles to San Diego?
Standard FTL transit from Los Angeles to San Diego is approximately 2 hrs by truck over 137 miles, with 1 typical fuel stop along the corridor. LTL shipments add 2-4 business days due to terminal transfers. Expedited service with team drivers can reduce FTL transit by up to 40%.
What equipment do I need for Los Angeles to San Diego freight?
Equipment choice depends on your commodity. Los Angeles commonly ships containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, which typically moves in standard dry van trailers. San Diego commonly receives military supplies, electronic components, consumer goods. Our team matches you with the right equipment type for your specific freight.
Is there good backhaul from San Diego to Los Angeles?
Moderate backhaul (scored 63/100 based on San Diego's outbound commodity mix). Backhaul from San Diego to Los Angeles requires planning. Carriers often reposition via intermediate markets, impacting forward pricing. San Diego's top outbound commodities — defense electronics, biotech products, telecommunications equipment — are the most common return-load categories carriers target.
What commodities move from Los Angeles to San Diego?
The Los Angeles-to-San Diego corridor handles a diverse freight mix — freight brokers often call this the Consumer Goods Corridor. Los Angeles's top outbound commodities include containerized imports (re-distribution), entertainment equipment, apparel & fashion, aerospace components, processed foods, electronics. San Diego's primary inbound freight includes military supplies, electronic components, consumer goods, construction materials, cross-border maquiladora goods, raw materials. Industries driving this lane include entertainment & media and international trade from Los Angeles and defense & military and biotechnology in San Diego.
When are rates highest on the Los Angeles to San Diego lane?
This lane's rate cycle is tied to entertainment & media and international trade cycles. Key periods: Oct-Dec (retail peak) (+15-22% on dry van, book 2+ weeks out); Mar-Oct (construction season) (+8-14% on flatbed). For the lowest spot rates, ship mid-week (Tue, Wed, Thu) and avoid Sun, Fri PM, Mon AM pickups when possible.
Can freight from Los Angeles to San Diego be delivered same-day?
Yes. At 137 miles (2 hrs driving), a single driver can complete the Los Angeles-to-San Diego lane in one shift. Same-day delivery requires booking before 9 AM local time at origin and confirming dock availability at destination. Expedited service runs 2 hours with priority handling.
Get Exact Rates for Los Angeles to San Diego
We maintain working relationships with 155+ FMCSA-verified carriers running the Los Angeles–San Diego corridor. Tell us about your freight and we will match you with one that fits your commodity, timing, and budget. Free quote, no obligation.
Mon-Fri 7AM-7PM CT | No obligation, no contracts